JSU president search

The Jacksonville State University board of trustees’ executive committee met Saturday narrowing the field of prospective presidential search firms, one of which it expects to hire to help find a new president of the university.

The trustees' committee selected Parker Executive Search, Academic Search and Diversified Search from among a group of 12 firms that were under consideration. Representatives from the three firms will be asked to come interview with the committee at JSU on Friday, committee members said in the meeting.  Following the interviews, the committee will select its favored firm and recommend that the board hire whichever group that is at its Oct. 20 meeting.

JSU began searching for a new president after current president Dr. William Meehan announced his retirement at a board meeting in July. He plans step down next summer after having served 16 years as the university's chief administrator.

The board in its entirety met Monday in Birmingham to speak with a consultant about the steps it should take to complete the search, and on Oct. 20 will hold its regularly quarterly meeting.

The executive committee interview session with search firms will be open to the public on Friday.